Benjamin Coley was born in England on February 1, 1826, and immigrated to America as a child. He lived briefly in Camden, New Jersey, during the 1830s and returned in the mid-1840s. Upon his return, he worked for businessman Richard Fetters for five years before venturing out on his own. Before the Civil War, Coley operated a restaurant and pool hall in Camden. In 1848, he married Margaret Southwick, and the couple had three children — Martha, Alma D., and Benjamin D. Coley Jr. — all of whom lived in Camden as adults.
Coley distinguished himself during the Civil War. He served as a lieutenant with Company K of the 6th New Jersey Infantry Regiment under Captain Thomas M. K. Lee Jr. and was later promoted to captain, commanding Company I of the same regiment. After his discharge in 1864, Coley returned to Camden, where he ran a successful grocery business at the southwest corner of 3rd and Federal Streets. He resided at 231 Stevens Street and was actively involved in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
After Margaret’s death on May 13, 1885, Coley remarried. He applied for his Civil War pension in January 1896. Benjamin Coley passed away in 1899, and his widow, Mary, applied for a Civil War widow's pension on July 5 of that year.
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Captain Benjamin Coley – History of Camden County
Captain Benjamin D. Coley, son of John and Ann (Day) Coley, born at Baddell, Bedfordshire, England, February 1, 1826, emigrated with his parents to America in 1829, landed at Philadelphia and soon afterward located in Camden. At the age of six he went to live with a farmer in Burlington County and remained there, working…
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Benjamin D. Coley
Benjamin Coley was born in England on February 1, 1826, and immigrated to America as a child. He lived briefly in Camden, New Jersey, during the 1830s and returned in the mid-1840s. Upon his return, he worked for businessman Richard Fetters for five years before venturing out on his own. Before the Civil War, Coley…
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